Lapis

Lapis is not a mineral but actually a rock. This is because it is made up of several other minerals like Lazurite, calcite (white), sodalite (blue), and pyrite (gold). The finest specimens of Lapis are from Afghanistan, which are also the oldest continuously worked mines in the world. These same mines supplied the ancient Egyptian pharaohs and ancient Sumerians with amulets and carvings. Lapis was also ground into a fine powder and used as pigment in paint until the early 19th century. Lapis is the oldest known stone considered to be a gem with a history dating to 5000BC. Lapis can be found in Chile, Russia, Siberia, Angola, Burma, Pakistan and the USA. Also known as Lapis Lazuli.